Most helpful critical review

To start off with the positives, I used a Kill-a-Watt to measure the current draw while charging with multiple devices. My wife's Ipad 2, her Galaxy S3, my Note 2 and Thinkpad were able to achieve the same charge draw as the original chargers (2 amp for the Ipad, Note and Thinkpad). I originality purchased this unit as I travel quite a bit for work and liked the swivel plug. I was happy with the performance and form factor.

Unfortunately, to the negatives...

1. While the charger is plugged into an outlet but not charging a device, a LOUD buzzing noise is emitted from the charger. I can hear it while the charger is on the floor and I am standing a couple feet away. The sound is similar to a buzzing capacitor that is about to fail. I do not trust leaving the unit plugged in, unattended. I also ordered the black version, it has a similar sound but it is much less intense; I can only hear the noise when my ear is within a 6-12" of the charger. I have what I consider a defective unit which I understand happens but leads to the 2nd negative and the reason for the one star review.

2. I emailed POWERGEN CS regarding the issue and asked for a replacement. I received a response asking which charger had the issue. After multiple follow-up emails I never received another response.

Due to the positives listed above, I would recommend this charger to almost anyone. Unfortunately, due to the lack of customer service I cannot.

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To start off with the positives, I used a Kill-a-Watt to measure the current draw while charging with multiple devices. My wife's Ipad 2, her Galaxy S3, my Note 2 and Thinkpad were able to achieve the same charge draw as the original chargers (2 amp for the Ipad, Note and Thinkpad). I originality purchased this unit as I travel quite a bit for work and liked the swivel plug. I was happy with the performance and form factor.

Unfortunately, to the negatives...

1. While the charger is plugged into an outlet but not charging a device, a LOUD buzzing noise is emitted from the charger. I can hear it while the charger is on the floor and I am standing a couple feet away. The sound is similar to a buzzing capacitor that is about to fail. I do not trust leaving the unit plugged in, unattended. I also ordered the black version, it has a similar sound but it is much less intense; I can only hear the noise when my ear is within a 6-12" of the charger. I have what I consider a defective unit which I understand happens but leads to the 2nd negative and the reason for the one star review.

2. I emailed POWERGEN CS regarding the issue and asked for a replacement. I received a response asking which charger had the issue. After multiple follow-up emails I never received another response.

Due to the positives listed above, I would recommend this charger to almost anyone. Unfortunately, due to the lack of customer service I cannot.

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Never thought I'd be writing a bad review, but this charger quit working after only a couple of months. The blue light is off, and it doesn't charge the phone anymore. Too bad!.. It seemed like a nice product, but the quality is not up to par.

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This PowerGen USB dual port AC charger is a definite improvement over older generation USB chargers or a computer USB port as it supplies 3.1 A of electricity for faster charging. The prongs swivel for protection and it has a soft-touch finish. It is also available in black.

The blue LED glows when it it is plugged into a live electrical socket. It doesn't get warm when used to charge small devices like an mp3 player but may get warm with a tablet. It is compatible with most devices that charge through a USB port but there are some it won't work with so check the product description.

This charger recognizes the special technical protocols for Apple products and has two ports, one specifically for Apple devices and one for non-Apple devices, clearly labeled A and NA. The USB slots are close together but all of my USB cable heads are slim enough to use both slots at the same time. However, the maximum capacity of 3.1 A is then divided between the two and for some larger devices, charging time will double.

The size is compact enough that two chargers can be used in a standard double wall outlet: it measures about 2 1/2" x 2" x 1". There is a photo on this page showing this charger blocking an outlet on a power strip but just put it in the end socket and that problem is solved!

Overall quality of manufacture is quite solid--I like the way the prongs *snap* into position. This charger works fine for me, no complaints, but there is a one year warranty, just in case.

To get the best use from any USB charger, it is important to understand the requirements of each device and its battery. Manufacturers provide this information; Apple's website, for instance, provides a full page of information about each device's battery. iPad batteries should be completely discharged and then fully recharged monthly, while iPod batteries don't need to be cycled. Some electronics should be turned off or put in sleep mode for charging under certain circumstances. It definitely is worth the time to learn about these requirements.

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I have no idea what others are complaining about. I tested this guy out yesterday when it arrived. I charged my Ipad3 and iPhone5 at the same time, no problem. They charged at the same speed as they would if I used the original OEM charger that came with both devices. Just make sure to get the ports correct (as described in the item description). I also tested it by charging my iPhone5 and iPhone4S at the same time. Again no problems, charged just as it would in the OEM charger that came with the phones.Only thing I will comment on is it is true there is a blue light around the ports when its plugged in and charging. I haven't tested it in a dark bedroom while trying to sleep, but I can't imagine it being any more bright than say a bedside alarm clock. Plus I haven't seen a lot of houses or apartments with power outlets at eye level with a bed; so I just can't see it being a problem....although I guess I shouldn't knock college students who just have a mattress on the floor (I was one of those guys)....I'm am however planning on using this for travel so I'll update it after I use one of the power outlets at a hotel that are located on the bedside lamp (those usually are around eye level or a bit above). If the light bugs me from sleeping, I'll let y'all know. Overall, I'd say grab one of these guys if you're like me and have multiple devices you use daily.

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-- I'm disappointed with the design of this wall charger. I reviewed the specs carefully before purchase, and after using it, I've no reason to doubt it charges as advertised. However the published specs did not describe the swivel plugin feature as a detachable module that separates from the charger base, presumably to facilitate an undocumented alternate plugin module which is not included. My experience to date shows this feature to have an inherent design flaw that seriously frustrates the overall functionality.

The swivel plugin and base components are intended to lock together internally via a built-in plastic sliding track design. Unfortunately the two components fit so loosely that they routinely fall apart in your hand when attempting to plug into an electrical receptacle-- sometimes causing sparks to fly from a failed insertion.

To avoid this happenstance while inserting the plugin, one must hold the charger with an awkward hand-grip that secures both charger components from sliding apart during the simple exertion of pressing the plugin into a receptacle. An alternate remedy, other than returning the product, is to glue or tape the two parts together.

Of course, customers are not expected to resort to such unorthodox methods after paying good money for any new product. For that reason, plus consideration that PowerGen customers could be better forewarned by more detailed disclosure in the ad description-- I must rate this item only 2 stars.

Update: I replied with this same review to a PowerGen email after my purchase, inviting me to advise them of any problem before posting my review. After 3 weeks without a response, I have adjusted my rating to one star.

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.It's a lot like Apple's iPad charger, but more versatile. Each port is optimized for Apple or non-Apple devices. It will charge your tablets and smartphones at full speed (like the ones that came with your devices). (See Note 1.)

* Designed for Apple and non-Apple devices - Full speed charging for a wide variety of devices - 3.1 Amps available. Charge 2 devices at once - Fit and finish are good. Feels like quality. - LED power-on indicator - Nice price when $10 or less

The manufacturer gave me this product for review. I believe my review is impartial. I usually list competing products in my reviews, but right now I don't see any great alternatives.

- - - Notes - - -

Note 1: Sometimes you need to charge in a hurry. Even if a charger "works with your device" it may be painfully slow. Get one that will charge your devices at full speed (like the one that came with your device). This is not so simple. Product info is often unclear. Reviewers are often unclear.

For starters, the "Amps" need to be high enough. That's usually 1 Amp for smartphones, about 2 Amps for tablets. (A higher amp charger is always OK.)

The messy part is, Apple devices use their own rules to decide charging speed. A designed-for-Apple charger may be slow to charge non-Apple devices, and vice versa, even if its Amp rating is high enough. This PowerGen model has one port of each type.

Note 2: Blocking other outlets. Seems like small thing, but it can be a hassle. Unplugging lamps, alarm clocks, etc. when traveling. This one may annoy once in a while...if the end outlets of a power strip are not available, for example. The non-polarized plugs do provide some flexibility.

Note 3: Nit Picks: If you're spoiled by Apple-perfect design, you might notice... 1. The port labels are a little hard to read. 2. The ports are "upside down" (When the charger is "right side up" you insert your USB plug logo-side down. A lot of devices work this way...not a big deal.)

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Well, I will start with the good. It charges all of the devices I have attempted in a reasonable amount of time. This ranges from an iPad, Nexus 4, iTouch, and can even do them simultaneously which is one of the main reasons that I purchased it. However, it sparks every time I plug it in, which concerns me as I do not want to start a fire or anything like that. I have tried a number of other wall outlets and it always does the same thing. I can plug in any other device without an issue. I have tried to contact PowerGEN multiple times without the slightest hint of any feedback, so I am left assuming that it is not supposed to do that and is defective.

In addition to that, it makes a fairly audible buzzing noise when it is not actively charging a device. Again, I have no idea if this is expected, since they apparently do not want to respond.

Maybe I'll get around to ordering a replacement to see if I just had a defective unit, but that will have to wait.